Kfc's Chicken Math: How Many Pieces In A Bird?

KFC's chicken pieces have been a topic of discussion and scrutiny over the years, with varying opinions and experiences shared by customers and former employees. While some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the size and value of KFC's chicken pieces, others have questioned the number of pieces that KFC yields from a single chicken. This has led to debates about the number of pieces in a KFC chicken, with some claiming it to be 8, 9, or even 12 pieces. Former employees have also shared their insights, recalling their experiences cutting chickens for KFC and the number of pieces they achieved.

KFC's chicken pieces vary in size

Some customers have noticed that the size of KFC's chicken pieces has decreased over the years. One customer claimed that a KFC chicken thigh was cut into two, counting as two pieces. Another customer who had not been to KFC in a long time also noticed that the pieces were "literally half" the size they used to be.

A former KFC employee confirmed that the number of pieces in a chicken has changed over the years. They stated that when they worked at KFC, the chickens were cut into nine pieces: two drumsticks, two thighs, two wings, and three breast pieces. Today, in some regions, KFC cuts its chickens into 12 pieces.

Despite these claims, a KFC spokesperson stated that the chain's chicken pieces rarely vary in size. They explained that since their chicken is delivered fresh daily, there can be rare occasions where some cuts are slightly different sizes, similar to chicken pieces from a supermarket.

KFC cuts chicken into 8 or 9 pieces

KFC cuts chicken into either 8 or 9 pieces, depending on the region. In the US, the classic KFC chicken cut is 9 pieces, with the two breasts being cut into three pieces. However, in the 1990s, KFC US transitioned to an 8-piece cut, with the breast being cut into two pieces instead of three. This change was likely made to standardize the cutting process and improve efficiency.

In Canada, KFC also adopted the 8-piece cut, but some areas in Ontario are trying out a new 12-piece cut, which includes 2 wings, 2 ribs, 2 breasts, 2 legs, and 4 thighs. This change may be a response to customer demands for larger chicken pieces or a result of supply chain constraints.

The decision to cut the chicken into a certain number of pieces is a balance between maximizing the number of pieces and maintaining the size and quality of the meat. Cutting the chicken into more pieces can increase profitability, but it can also lead to smaller portions and dry meat, as seen in the case of KFC Australia, where customers have complained about the small size and lack of taste of the chicken pieces.

While KFC has standardized the number of pieces in most regions, there may be variations in the size of the chicken pieces due to fresh chicken deliveries from suppliers, resulting in slight differences in sizes, similar to the variation found in chicken pieces from supermarkets.

KFC's 8-piece cut includes 2 breasts, 2 wings, 2 thighs, and 2 legs

KFC's current 8-piece cut includes 2 breasts, 2 wings, 2 thighs, and 2 legs. This cut is specific to the US, where it was introduced in the 90s.

Prior to this, in 1971, KFC's chicken cut included 9 pieces. The breast was cut into 3 pieces: the tip of the breast (the keel) was cut off first, and the remainder of the breast was then cut in half, with each piece including half of the backbone.

In recent years, there have been accusations of KFC reducing the size of its chicken pieces. One customer in Australia claimed that one piece was under six centimetres in length, and another claimed that a thigh was cut in two to count as two pieces.

In Canada, KFC's chicken cut includes 9 pieces: 2 wings, 2 ribs, 2 breasts, 2 legs, and 4 thighs. However, some areas in Ontario are trying out a new cut that involves 12 pieces.

KFC's 9-piece cut includes 2 drumsticks, 2 thighs, 2 wings, and 3 breast pieces

KFC's nine-piece cut includes two drumsticks, two thighs, two wings, and three breast pieces. This cut is specific to KFC Canada, while the US has used an eight-piece cut since the 1990s.

A former KFC employee from 1971 confirmed that the chain used to cut its chickens into nine pieces. The process involved first cutting off the tip of the breast, known as the keel. Then, the remaining breast was cut in half, with each piece including half of the backbone.

However, some customers have expressed disappointment with the size of KFC's chicken pieces, claiming that they have decreased over time. One customer shared a photo of a chicken piece that was under six centimetres in length, with little batter and a lack of taste.

In response, a KFC spokesperson stated that while the chain's chicken pieces rarely vary in size, there can be rare occasions where some cuts are slightly different due to the chicken being delivered fresh daily from suppliers.

KFC's 12-piece cut includes 2 wings, 2 ribs, 2 breasts, 2 legs, and 4 thighs

KFC's portion sizes have been a topic of discussion for many customers. While the number of pieces in a KFC chicken portion has varied over the years, one particular cut that has drawn attention is the 12-piece cut. This cut includes 2 wings, 2 ribs, 2 breasts, 2 legs, and 4 thighs.

The 12-piece cut is quite different from the more traditional 8- or 9-piece cuts that were common in the past. In the 8-piece cut, the chicken is divided into two breasts, two wings, two thighs, and two legs. This was the standard cut in the US in the 1970s and possibly until the 1990s, when they transitioned to the 8-piece cut. However, some customers have expressed disappointment with the smaller pieces in the 12-piece cut, claiming that it dries out the meat.

In Canada, KFC has been experimenting with a new cut that includes 12 pieces. This new cut may be a response to customer complaints about the size of chicken pieces, which some claim are shrinking. Some customers have noticed that the pieces are smaller, with one piece measuring under six centimetres in length, affecting the taste and value for money.

While KFC has denied intentionally reducing the size of its chicken pieces, they have acknowledged that fresh chicken deliveries from suppliers can result in slight variations in the size of the cuts. Nevertheless, the 12-piece cut, with its specific allocation of wings, ribs, breasts, legs, and thighs, represents a notable departure from the traditional 8- or 9-piece servings.

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